Hot Mattocks scores again

Vancouver Whitecaps' Darren Mattocks, of Jamaica, celebrates his goal against Sporting Kansas City during the first half of an MLS soccer game in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Sunday. - AP

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP):

Darren Mattocks scored for the fourth time in the last five games to help the Vancouver Whitecaps beat Sporting Kansas City 2-0 in Major League Soccer on Sunday.

The Whitecaps took the lead in the 17th minute when Sporting defender Igor Julião and goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum got their signals crossed after Vancouver's Pedro Morales lofted a long ball toward goal. Julião tried to head a pass back toward Gruenebaum, but it dribbled over the line.

Vancouver doubled the advantage in the 30th minute when Morales passed the ball to Mattocks, who made no mistake in slotting a low shot past a helpless Gruenebaum for his sixth goal of the season.

Chicago's Mike Magee scored in the 38th minute to give the Fire a 1-0 win over the New York Red Bulls.

Sean Johnson made four saves for his fourth shut-out of the season and in Chicago's victory over New York.

New York were called for a bad tackle in the box and goalkeeper Luis Robles made the initial save on Mike Magee's penalty, but Magee scored off the rebound.

At Seattle, Marco Pappa scored in the 69th minute and Gonzalo Pineda converted a penalty six minutes later as the Sounders beat the Houston Dynamo 2-0. The win lifted the Sounders back to the top of the Western Conference and overall standings with 41 points.